Police seize 20 guns in November traffic stop

A 32-year-old Salem woman appeared in Baxter County Circuit on Thursday and entered a not guilty plea to a charge of possession of firearms by a certain person.

Brandie Leigh Lyons was arrested following a traffic stop for a seat-belt violation when Arkansas State Police trooper Nathan Litty reported finding 20 pistols and one long gun in the vehicle driven by Lyons, according to an affidavit.

On Nov. 27, Trooper Litty was on patrol in Baxter County when he spotted two people in a Chevrolet Cruze not wearing their seat belts, according to an affidavit the trooper wrote.

Litty stopped the car and told Lyons, who was driving, that he pulled her over because she wasn't wearing her seat belt, nor was her passenger.

Her father, Russell Blevins was the passenger. Blevins told the trooper that he was on parole with a search waiver on file. Litty checked records and discovered both had lengthy drug histories, but no current outstanding warrants.

The trooper asked Lyons for permission to search the car, and she reportedly granted permission. After Litty asked the woman to exit the vehicle she informed the trooper that there were "four or five," guns in a bag on the back seat of the car.

Inside the bag, Litty reported discovering four gun cases, each containing a pistol.

Litty asked Lyons if she was a convicted felon. She told the trooper she wasn't certain, because she was at one time, but she had completed drug court and had her record sealed and expunged.

The trooper confirmed that account through officials with probation. However, Lyons had not filed for a Governor's pardon to have her firearms rights reinstated, according to the affidavit.

Litty then told the woman he was going to search the rest of the vehicle. Lyons then asked the trooper if she could speak with him. During the ensuing conversation, Lyons told the trooper she more guns on the back seat of the car.

Upon searching, Litty reported finding another 16 pistols and a long gun combination rifle and shotgun.

The trooper then transported the woman to the Baxter County Sheriff's Office. She was taken to an interview room containing audio and video recording devices.

During an interview, Lyons reportedly said her husband, Joseph Lyons, a felon with multiple convictions, gave her the guns. She said her husband reportedly told her to sell the guns and they would split the money derived from the sales.

Lyons reportedly told told investigators that prior to being stopped by Litty, she had sold three firearms. Litty reported finding $1,528 in the woman's wallet.

Lyons was arrested on a charge of possession of firearms by a certain person and was released from the Baxter County jail after posting a $2,500 bond.